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KIA AUTOMOTIVE AUSTRALIA

New Kia Sportage / Page 1 / September 22, 2004

ALL-NEW KIA SPORTAGE 4WD MAKES WORLD PREMIERE

  • World premiere for all-new Kia Sportage small 4WD at Paris Show
  • Combines 4WD, Car and Wagon customer benefits
  • Diesel engine available with Automatic transmission
  • Multiple-choice of engines, transmissions, drivetrains and trim levels

The all-new Kia Sportage, due to arrive in Australia in early 2005, has had its world debut at the Paris International Motor Show (23 September 2004) revealing it to be a strong new contender in one of the most demanding and quickest developing market sectors.

The new Kia Sportage has the smooth ride, agile handling and overall refinement of a car, the exterior style, high driving position, easy access and all-wheel grip of a 4WD, the load carrying ability and seating versatility of a wagon and are all combined to create the uniquely attractive new Kia.

Although Kia retained the name of one of its most successful cars of all time, the new Sportage is a very different kind of vehicle, it is model which will clearly outperform its class rivals and aspires to match the best products from famous European brands.

Compared to Kia’s earlier rugged SUV, the all-new Sportage is created to meet a radically different design concept. It is sporty and elegant, spacious and adaptable, with an attractive appearance inside and out, an internally carried spare wheel and an easy-to-open top-hinged tailgate (with flip-up window), plus sleeker aerodynamics for quiet, refined, high speed cruising.

Unlike Kia’s earlier 4WD, New Sportage is a multi-choice vehicle. It offers customers three engines, two drivetrains, two transmissions, two equipment levels and a wide range of premium options. It also offers the ‘diesel engine plus automatic’ combination that is so popular with European buyers, but rarely available on a small SUV.

Sporty & Elegant with Montone finish and Premium interior

Customers will be able to enhance the sporty elegance of their Sportage by choosing the ‘Monotone’ exterior finish – with all external components painted in body colour. They will also be able to opt for Kia’s best-ever ‘Premium Package’ interior. Specially developed for New Sportage, this interior features top quality, leather upholstery and trim, with brushed aluminium and chrome metal detailing, to contrast strikingly with the black trim panels and deep-pile carpets.

Spacious and Versatile interior, with ‘FlatFold’ seats

Longer (4350 mm), wider (1800 mm) and higher (1695 mm) than the average small 4WD, the new five-seater Sportage offers customers much of the technical sophistication and stylish looks of the popular Kia Sorento, but in a smaller package. The generous dimensions and long wheelbase (2630 mm) boost both passenger and luggage space for ‘best-in-class’ headroom, legroom and cargo space.

The unique rear seat design has a new ‘FlatFold’ system which lowers the cushion into the rear foot well and ensures the backrest folds down to create a spacious, square-sided, flat-floor cargo area. This operation can be carried out without removing the rear head restraints. With the rear seat folded, the length of the load area extends to 1635 mm and longer items can be accommodated by folding the front passenger seat backrest.

Three engine choices for maximum appeal

Kia’s new entry into the small SUV segment offers customers a broad range of engine technology to suit the most varied of lifestyles. The most popular European Sportage engine choice is expected to be the modern, 2-litre CRDi turbocharged diesel, which generates 85 kW at 4,000 rpm and torque of 245.2 Nm between 1,800 and 2,500 rpm. For customers who prefer gasoline, the 2-litre, 106 kW engine comes with continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and the compact 2.7-litre, 132 kW V6 powers the fastest model to 100 kph in just over 10 seconds.

2WD, 4WD drivetrains & Running Gear

The Sportage can be ordered with front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, depending on model. The full-time four-wheel drive system senses when one or both front wheels lose grip and automatically diverts up to 50 per cent of engine power to the rear wheels. If necessary, the driver can engage 4WD at low speeds, dividing power evenly, 50 per cent 50 per cent to the front and rear wheels.

Sportage is fitted with fully independent suspension systems, front and rear, designed to deliver responsive on-road handling and a supple, comfortable ride on European roads, while retaining long-wheel-travel and a genuine talent to also perform with real ability off-road. Every Sportage comes with 16 inch alloy wheels, fitted with 215/65 R16 tyres. The all-disc braking system has anti-lock ABS with EBD as standard.

Primary & Secondary Safety

Kia engineers created a bodyshell with four structural rings – at the A, B, C and D pillars – to protect the occupant safety zone. Kia’s internal testing anticipates a 4-Star rating in crash safety tests. The Sportage is equipped with an ‘intelligent’ airbag system which gauges the severity of an impact and Side airbags, Curtain airbags, Traction Control and an Electronic Stability Program are available.

Future sales assured

Created to give Kia a bold new challenger in the small SUV segment, the Sportage will play a major role in the brand’s continued rapid growth in Europe and all around the globe. The New Sportage is sure to be an instant sales success when it goes on sale in Europe next month. In Korea, customer orders in the first 10 days reached 15,000 units and in Europe the 4WD market is set to grow to 1 million by 2008, with 35 per cent accounted for by the small 4WD segment.

The new Kia Sportage will be launched in Australia in early 2005, when local specifications and prices will be announced.

(ends)

For further information:

Kia Automotive Australia Media Web Site:

Edward Butler
General Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 9701 8080
Mob: 0417 294 493
Fax: (02) 9701 3555
E-mail:
Edward Rowe
Public Relations Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 9701 8080
Mob: 0407 913 244
Fax: (02) 9701 8015
E-mail: